Physical Science Task Force

Minutes of Meeting on June 26, 1998

 

 

Present: Paul Williams, Saad Eways, John Cise, Allen Underwood, Daryl Pedigo, Scott Gainer, Mostafa Pirnia, Jim Heath, Dean Becker

 

General Items

1. Approval of Agenda - Item 12: Discussion and Action on Phone line for ITV course was added to the agenda. Otherwise the agenda was approved

 

2. Approval of Minutes - No minutes were submitted for approval

 

3. Discussion of Impending Technology Inventory - Task Force Leader (TFL) mentioned that upcoming technology inventory was important and encouraged members to verify accuracy of inventory. Follow Up: The URL for the search engine for the data base is worf.austin.cc.tx.us:591/pcinv/

 

4. Report of Committee and Action on Faculty Workload Reduction Requests - The committee reported favorably on one proposal for Geology and reported that the other proposal submitted needed significant development and encouraged its being resubmitted. Task Force (TF) approved submittal of work load reduction for Bob Blodgett. Follow up: Request was sent to Dean and Associate Vice-president on June 30, 1998.

 

5. Discussion of Technology Planning Process - TFL reported that he had created a technology committee, chaired by Allen Underwood. Committee would be responsible for inventorying technology assets, developing a replacement plan, documenting current use and facilitating development of new initiatives.

 

6. Discussion of Assessment and Strategic Planning for the Coming School Year - TFL sought to create a committee to develop plans for non-computer technology assets. These include capital items, new moneys for current accounts, and personnel requests. Daryl Pedigo agreed to chair committee dealing with Capitol requests, Paul Williams will chair committee dealing with personnel.

 

7. Discussion of a Marketing Brochure for the Physical Sciences - John Cise suggested creating a tri-fold marketing brochure to promote our programs. His proposal was met with general enthusiasm. Suggestions included that he create several brochures corresponding to different programs and that we seek the help of the college’s marketing department to defray costs. John will continue work on the copy during the fall.

 

8. Review of Adjunct Faculty Eligibility List - TFL passed out copies of the current Adjunct Faculty (AF) eligibility list. The TF suggested that he submit it to the AF at large so that the AF could submit corrections, and also see what courses for which they were certified. TFL will do this.

9. Discussion and Action on Use of Location Sub-codes for Accounting Purposes - TFL suggested that to simplify accounting, that location subcodes be used. This will better facilitate accountability while maintaining TF control over the accounts college-wide. TF approved TFL to look into doing so for consumable supply and equipment <$500 sub-codes for PHY at RGC, NRG, and RVS.

 

10. Discussion of what needs to be done before THECB self-evaluation next January - TFL passed out information about the THECB self-study upcoming in January. He suggested that TF think between now and the start of the school year about what we need to do for this. Also he suggested that TF think about assessment for next year.

 

11. Discussion of Typos in the Fall schedule - Handed out "corrected" copies of PHY schedule for 9910 in vertical format. There are still two errors in the schedule. Follow up: These errors were corrected by TFL and Diane Olla on 6/29/98.

 

12. Discussion of Phone line for GEO 1653 ITV course - Jan Smith reported that Open Campus wants to put a phone line into RGC 107 for voice mail for Jane Maler’s GEO 1653 ITV students. This is OK with Jan as long as it is a totally separate phone line and will not interfere with Jan or her lab assistant’s work, i.e. have ringer turned off. The TF agreed with Jan and feels that Open Campus should pay for the phone line TFL will submit concerns to Judy Doan at PIN.

 

Physics Items:

1. Revision of Course Inventory to combine Lectures and Labs into a single section for PHY classes - Idea was submitted that to avoid problems like we had this fall with printing of schedule, that PHY combine lectures and labs under one section number. Discussion centered on flexibility of current system and decision was made to remain as is.

 

2. Continuation of Discussion of Course Standards - Daryl Pedigo submitted second draft of course PHY course standards. One section was added regarding final grades. Draft will be modified by Daryl and sent to TFL who will send it to all PHY faculty.

 

3. Review of some new Physics Problem-solving web sites - John Cise demonstrated some additional WEB-based problem solving sites that he had found. He also demonstrated Jim Heath’s site, which TF thought was very nice.

 

4. Discussion and Action on Creation of Full-time lab assistant position at NRG - TFL reported that we may be getting additional hourly funds for PHY for next year. TF approved, contingent on the fund increase actually occurring, that TFL pursue conversion of funds to create FT Tech Staff III position at NRG.

 

GEO/PSC Items:

None Received